Electricity: Wire Strippers


Nearly every cable or wire has some form of sheathing to protect it and keep it separated from other wires. Specialty tools allow you to strip sheathings quickly and with less chance of damaging the wire inside.


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Brand Name Manufacturers

Plastic-Sheathed Cable

1. Align plastic-sheathed cable with the notch that matches the wire gauge.

2. Strip individual wires using correct notch. Keep stripper perpendicular to wire.

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Coaxial Cable

1. Set triple-bladed stripper to match cable size. Rotate cutter five or six times.

2. Remove inner and outer sheathing. Use fingernail to gently scrape foil from plastic insulation.

Communication Wire

1. Place cable in largest groove and rotate. Move to next smaller notch, if necessary.

2. Bend cable to break, and remove sheathing. Inspect wires for damage.
Volt-Ohm Meter

Using a Volt-Ohm Meter

Be safe: read the owner's manual carefully to avoid damaging your multimeter. Rotate the switch to select the proper test function, such as volts, amps or ohms, before you start testing. Select a voltage or amperage range that's higher than the top value you anticipate testing.

(Top image) Use the resistance, or ohms, function to test switches. An "infinity" reading may indicate a defective switch.

(Bottom image) Touch probes to heating element leads. Compare the appliance specifications with the resistance readings in ohms on your multi meter.

Last modified: Monday, 2012-07-30 12:47 PST

Use the resistance, or ohms, function to test switches. An